• Topic

    Civil rights and freedoms

    The digital environment provides unique opportunities for children to realize the right to access to information and freedom of expression. The digital environment can enable children to form their social, religious, cultural, ethnic, sexual and political identities and to participate in associated communities and in public spaces for deliberation, cultural exchange, social cohesion and diversity.

    The fulfilment of these rights must be ensured and the right of the child to freedom of thought, conscience and religion in the digital environment must be respected. Privacy is vital to children’s agency, dignity and safety and for the exercise of their rights.

    Children’s personal data are processed to offer educational, health and other benefits to them. Therefore, it must be ensured by legislative, administrative and other measures that children’s privacy is respected and protected by all organizations and in all environments that process their data.

    By use of digital identification systems that enable all newborn children to have their birth registered and officially recognized by the national authorities, access to services, including health, education and welfare shall be facilitated.

Current News

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Become a member of the EU Children’s Participation Plattform and strengthen the participation of children!

The EU Platform for Child Participation, launched by the Commission in 2022, is open to all European children and young people under the age of 18 who are participants in a member organisation. Read on to find out how you can become a member of the Platform for Child Participation and get more involved in (digital) children's and youth issues.

Considering children's rights in the domain name system

Over the past few days, the multi-stakeholder community has been discussing current issues relating to the further development and shaping of the Domain Name System at the ICANN 82 Community Forum in Seattle (USA).

Young and social media savvy - new findings on media use among Europeans

Under the title “Media consumption habits of young people in Europe” the media habits of young people were discussed, delving into the implication of these habits for the competitiveness of the EU audiovisual industry, as well as the outlook for cultural diversity in European media.

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IGF 2025: Building Digital Governance Together – Call for Session Proposals

Norway will host the 20th United Nations Internet Governance Forum (IGF) from 23 to 27 June 2025. In this anniversary year, participants from the stakeholder groups government, private sector, technical community, intergovernmental organisations and civil society will come together in Lillestrom near Oslo to discuss current issues relating to the governance and regulation of the digital environment under the motto ‘Building Digital Governance Together’.

Advice, support and technology against sexualised violence online

Children and young people encounter sexualised violence in various forms on the internet. Keeping them away from (allegedly) age-inappropriate content has been an ambivalent goal of youth media protection, which has been pursued with various measures since the beginning of the spread of the Internet. Today, the main aim is to effectively counter the risks that can arise from communication and exchange with other users.

Safer Internet Day 2025 – “No Likes for Lies”

Safer Internet Day (SID) is a global day of action to promote online safety and a better internet for children and young people. It is dedicated to a different theme every year and has been held on the Tuesday of the second week of February since 2004. Safer Internet Day will take place for the 22nd time on 11 February 2025.

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Youth wanted for YOUthDIG

Young people between the ages of 18 and 30 with an interest in digital topics can apply to take part in YOUthDIG until 7 February.

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Open Call: Join the Pilot Youth Advisory Panel

Young people can apply to be part of the FRA's first Youth Advisory Board until 9 February 2025!

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First BIK+ strategy evaluation: Open call for parents, caregivers, teachers, educators.

Two years after the adoption of the Better internet for Kids (BIK+) strategy (see also: child-friendly version), the European Commission is calling on parents, carers, teachers and educators to take part in the first evaluation since the adoption in May 2022. Click here to register and take part in the consultations!

From South to North with heavy tasks in the backpack

With a strong commitment to multistakeholderism and clear messages on harnessing innovation and balancing risks in the digital space the 19th edition of the United Nation’s Internet Governance Forum ended on Thursday, Dec. 19th 2024.